Mr Gladstone on Socialism.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3675, 7 January 1908, Page 2

Mr Gladstone on Socialism.

What did Mr Gladstone think about Socialism? The question is not inopportune in view of the present clay attitude of many men who were once the ardent followers and. hero-wor-shippers of the great Liberal statesman. The answer—and an emphatic one it is—is to be found in the Right Hon. George W. E. Russell's new book, "A Pocketful of Sixpences," published by E. Grant Richards. Mr Gladstone, Mr Russel tells us, even so long ago as 1885 spoke with serious concern about the growth of Socialist ideas in the Liberal party : "In the course of our conversation, Gladstone declared himself vehemently hostile to Socialism in any sense of the word. When I asked whether by 'Socialism' he meant the State doing for the individual what he ought to do for himself, or the State taking private property for national purposes, he replied, with indescribable emphasis, 'I mean both; but I reserve my worst Billingsgtae for the latter." When Mr. Gladstone had, metaphorically, to dfispend to such vituperation as is usually associated with Billingsgate fish market, it is obvious that his destination of Socialism knew no bounds.